Communications Division

What We Do

The Communications Division is responsible for communications operations for the Sheriff's Office, as well as five law enforcement agencies, five ambulance services, and 23 fire departments serving Linn County. We have 13 full-time Communications Operators staffing our center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operators have specialized training on multiple systems, including computer controlled radio and phone systems. Computer-Aided-Dispatch software assists in providing the quickest, most appropriate response based on the caller's location and nature of the assistance needed.

The center is equipped to handle both landline and wireless 911 calls using the most up-to-date internet protocol (IP) based next generation 911 (NG911) standards, including Text-to-911. Radio communications with law enforcement, fire departments, and ambulance services are handled on a countywide 800 MHz P-25 trunked radio system. The system is shared by all public safety agencies in Linn County allowing seamless communications between all agencies.

In an emergency, dial 911. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, a fire department, or an ambulance service.

When calling 911, be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • Location of the emergency, including the street address
  • Phone number you are calling from
  • Nature of the emergency
  • Details about the emergency, such as, the physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, the description of any fire that may be burning, or the description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

When you should call 911

  • Crimes in progress or recently occurring
  • Suspicious activity or behavior
  • Fights or disturbances
  • Building, car, brush, and grass fires
  • Severe traffic accidents
  • Use of weapons
  • Any medical emergency for which immediate care is needed
  • Any other circumstances posing immediate danger to yourself or others

When calling 911, be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • Location of the emergency, including the street address
  • Phone number you are calling from
  • Nature of the emergency
  • Details about the emergency, such as the physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, the description of any fire that may be burning, or the description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

When you should NOT call 911

  • Time and temperature (monitor television or radio news broadcasts)
  • Directory Assistance (dial 411)
  • Animals running at large (call the local law enforcement agency)
  • Broken street or traffic light (call the local law enforcement agency)
  • Loss of electricity (call power company)
  • Requests for police records
  • All non-emergencies should be reported to your local law enforcement agency's non-emergency number

Additional Resources